Summer has arrived. Kids are busy with their 4-H projects and most area farmers have finished wheat harvest. Our office is buzzing with activity. We have answered many questions about farm leases, custom work, crop diseases, and garden pests just to name a few. Volunteers have been busy too. A big thank-you to those who helped with Horse Camp and the livestock barn roofing project. Your dedication and hard work is greatly appreciated.

Have a happy & safe summer!

Ginger Boas, County Extension Director

THURSDAY, July 12th

6:00 p.m. 4-H Foods/Clothing/ Public Speaking –Community of Christ Church

SATURDAY, July 14th

9:00-11:00 a.m. 4-H General Projects Judging

9:00 a.m. 4-H Bicycle Rodeo

9:00 a.m. Open Western Horse Show–Clay County

Saddle Club, Clay City

1:00 p.m. State Fair & Best of Show announced

3:00 p.m. 4-H Cat Show

4:00 p.m. 4-H Dog Show

5:00 p.m. Motocross–Quad Races

8:00 p.m. Motocross–Bike Races

SUNDAY, July 15th

12:00 NOON All 4-H Livestock must be in place

12:00-3:00 p.m. 4-H Livestock Weigh-in NO Ultrasound

4:00 p.m. Mandatory Exhibitor Meeting, followed by

Showmanship Clinic & Pizza Party

MONDAY, July 16th

9:00 a.m. 4-H Beef Show

2:00 p.m. 4-H Rabbit Show

3:30 p.m. 4-H Poultry Show

5:00 p.m. Cloverbud Livestock Show

5:00–7:00 p.m. NEW 4-H CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOOD

DRIVE/ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Bring a can(s) for food drive/receive icream treat sponsored by CC Farm Bureau

6:00 p.m. Little Miss Pageant

7:00 p.m. Jr. Miss Pageant

8:00–10:00 p.m. 4-H Swim Party

TUESDAY, July 17th

8:00 a.m. 4-H Swine Show

8:00 a.m. Open & Jr. Beef Judging

11:00 a.m. 4-H Sheep Show

1:00 p.m. 4-H Goat Show

3:00 p.m. 4-H Showmanship Sweepstakes

6:00 p.m. DAZ*zle Dance & Tumble-free on stage

7:00 p.m. Queen's Pie Auction

8:30 p.m. Queen Contestants Greased Pig Contest

WEDNESDAY, July 18th

8:00 a.m. Jr. Swine Show

Following Jr. Swine Jr. Sheep Show

1:00 p.m. Lawn Mower/Tractor Driving Contest

2:00 p.m. Ag Olympics

4:00-7:00 p.m. 14th Annual 4-H BBQ

5:30-6:30 p.m. Joni's Power Tumbling, Dance & Cheer

6:30 p.m. 4-H Livestock Auction

7:30 p.m. Open Sheep Show

THURSDAY, July 19th

8:00 a.m. Open Dairy Judging

6:00 p.m. 4-H Horse & Mule Show, Clay County Saddle

Club, Clay City

7:00 p.m. Band "Neon Rose"-Jerry Mayo & Friends-free

On Stage

FRIDAY, July 20th

7:00 p.m. Clay County Fair Queen Pageant

SATURDAY, JULY 21st

7:00 p.m. C-Bar-Bull Riding/Broncs/Mutton Busting

For 38 years, we've kept records on soil tests, nutrient movement, and yields at the University of Illinois Ewing Demonstration Center. When compared to adjacent conventional tillage plots, the no-till plots have actually had a greater movement of the nutrients down the soil profile to deeper depths.

Currently, the organic matter is at 3.1 percent to a depth of 10 inches, compared to the tillage plots which have 1 percent organic matter at 4 inches deep. The impact of this is that the action exchange capacity of the no-till plots was 14, while the exchange capacity of tillage plots was 6. In a nutshell, the soil quality has improved dramatically with no tillage during the last 38 years.

Research shows that increased organic matter can benefit the soil in a number of ways, some of which will reduce the risk of water pollution. For example, a greater level of organic matter means a higher number of microorganisms to produce polysaccharides which help soil particles bind together. The result is a stable soil aggregate that is less likely to erode and move into nearby streams and lakes.

In addition, the increase in organic matter leads to an increase in beneficial microorganisms which break down pesticides into less toxic chemicals. Other benefitsinclude an increase in the soil's water-holding capacity, earthworm populations, and certain micro-nutrients and macronutrients.

Organic matter also decreases the risk of soil crusting, as well as acidic or alkaline soil conditions. And, no-till increases the infiltration of water into the soil, which means there is less water on the soil surface to move as runoff. Less runoff means less risk that soil and chemicals will be carried into lakes and rivers.

- By: Mike Plumer, natural resources educator

The idea of using a variety of weed management methods is not new.

It is probably a concept that we have placed on the "back burner" in the past few years. Herbicide-tolerant crops have made for easier management in the short term. But, longer term implications must also be considered.

Although southern Illinois farmers have done a good job, weeds that are resistant or tolerant to herbicides are on the increase. Integrated weed management tools must be used to limit weed resistance problems. Roundup Ready technology has been a great asset to efficient crop production. Roundup Ready is not a "stand alone" technology but rather part of a weed management program. The best way to preserve the technology is with correct use and management, and not overuse or mismanagement.

Develop an integrated weed management plan for your farm based on your specific needs and requirements. Here are some basic principles and strategies of weed management that can be utilized:

·Always employ good agronomic practices that reduce both the introduction and dissemination of weeds.

Use appropriate cultural practices that do not exert a chemical selection pressure on the farm.

Just as you rotate crops, rotate herbicides and use different herbicide mixtures.

A good website with information on herbicide-resistant weeds is located at http://www.weedscience.org

We will never, and probably should not, control all weed problems. But with integrated weed management practices, we can effectively manage weeds while preserving the benefits of new pest

- By: Dennis Epplin, crop systems educator

July 12– Belleville SIU Field Day

Time: 9 am

July 26– Brownstown Field Day

Time: 9 am

Aug. 2– Dixon Springs Field Day

Time: 8 am

Aug. 16- U of I Agronomy Day: "Growing Our Future" Urbana Campus

Time: 7 am

Sept. 6– Ewing Field Day (Franklin County)

Time: 9 am

PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM STU'S NEWS. A weekly news blog by former Extension Specialist Stu Ellis

Sleepless Nights & Empty Antacid Containers

Farmers are farmers because of the desire for independence and wanting to solve challenges by themselves. But if there were support groups for farmers, the weekly sessions might be well-attended in recent weeks. There is a lot of nervousness, many sleepless nights, and bottles of antacid pills appear on the weekly shopping list. This is all the result of near record prices for grain. 2007 agriculture definitely has a dual personality.

A Thursday morning e-mail plea came from a Texas farmer wanting advice on selling his wheat. Currently, the wheat market is trading above $6 and July wheat has increased in value over 60% since the contract was initially listed. His Texas wheat crop is not the best, and in asking if wheat might get to $7-8, he certainly did not want to sell it today and leave $2 on the table. Nervousness.

For the last several weeks, cornfields from Central Illinois to Georgia have taken on the appearance of Hawaiian pineapple fields, with leaves curled and pointed skyward from the lack of rain as the corn plant tries to conserve moisture. Currently, the corn plant is developing its ears within the stalk.

While the number of kernel rows is determined by genetics, the moisture available to the plant will determine whether it has 750 to 1,000 kernels per ear and whether they develop into an ear. Turning off the water supply as the corn stalk prepares for pollination will guarantee a short ear of corn. More nervousness.

While farmers are seemingly in the driver's seat when it comes to profit potential in selling their crop, most of them have never experienced a demand-driven market, which has not followed the predictable seasonal ups and downs. Most of them sold significant quantities of 2006 grain before the market began to climb last fall, and they are non-players in the unforeseen current market. Sitting on the sidelines is not fun.

Most farmers this year can be divided into two camps, those who forward contracted their grain earlier this year at profitable prices, and those who have not sold any grain, waiting for it to climb higher. Both are buying antacids by the caseload.

The farmers who sold early, and booked what they thought would be a profitable price, are now quite concerned about not being able to produce enough of a crop due to the drought to deliver and satisfy their contracts. A $4 price is nice, but if you have oversold your production,

those bushels have to be replaced and buying them back at whatever price can lead to a financial predicament. Extreme nervousness.

Farmers who have sold very little of their crop, waiting for greater marketing opportunities, are also concerned whether current lofty prices will hold. They are reluctant to repeat their experience of 2006 and are lying awake at night wondering whether to forward sell some of their production the next morning, or hold on for another day. When corn makes 10 cent up and down moves in a day; and when the soybean and wheat markets go up and down in 20 and 30 cent moves, profits can be made and lost in a matter of minutes. World class nervousness.

Farmers with livestock are currently suffering from droughty pastures, high priced hay, low quality alfalfa, and the need to liquidate their herds before the feed runs out. The situation in the southeastern US has resulted in increased attendance at community prayer meetings. The lack of rainfall has caused a lot of the problems, particularly for those with livestock and those who have forward contracted their grain.

However, a lot of the nervousness has resulted from the changing market environment, which has challenged many farmersand their marketing plans well beyond what they ever bargained for. And many of those are wrestling with professional commodity traders for the last bottle of antacid on the drug store shelf.

The latest information on commodities, market prices, and dairy issues can be found on three new University of Illinois Extension podcasts.

"The new podcasts include Commodity Week, which offers weekly news analysis, prices and weather, the Illini Farm Report that discusses issues of concern to Illinois farmers, and Dairy Podcast, focusing on issues of interest to dairy producers and consumers.

Source: Jane Scherer, U of I Extension urban programs specialist and director of Extension's website.

As a rule, the tenant's lease of farmland continues after the death of the landowner according to terms agreed to by the landowner before death.

According to Dr. Donald L. Uctmann, University of Illinois Extension Ag Law Specialist,"this holds true even for a multi-year lease." Dr. Uctmann's full report, "Farm Owner's Death: Can Tenant Continue Farming under the Lease?" is available in the Agricultural Law and Taxation Briefs section on farmdoc. http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/legal

Uchtmann noted that the rule generally applies if the owner becomes mentally incompetent or sells the Illinois farm to another (assuming the lease, itself, does not limit the tenant's rights)

"Rents that would have been paid to the now deceased or incompetent owner, or to the prior owner before the sale to a new owner, will be paid to an executor, guardian, or new owner," he said.

"Special rules apply where the landowner had a 'life estate' in the farmland, rather than ownership in

'fee simple.' A special Illinois statute protects the farm tenant in some situations. For multi-year leases, getting additional signatures on the lease may be needed to protect the tenant."

Uchtmann recommended consulting legal counsel.

"Legal counsel can be very helpful to farm tenants in determining whether the farmland owner is a life owner or a fee simple owner, in crafting the lease for particular circumstances, or in negotiating reasonable compensation for fall field work if the rented land is owned by a life owner who dies in the last six months of the lease year," he said.

Uchtmann's article reviews the applicable Illinois law and examples of how it is applied. He also provides guidance to tenants and farm land owners in order to avoid problems. The article is part of a law-related education program for farmers thru a gift from the Illinois Bar Foundation.

For the 2006 – 2007 marketing year, 2.15 billion bushels of corn, accounting for 11 percent of total U.S. corn consumption, will be used to make ethanol. More corn is projected to be used in ethanol production over the next several years. If corn remains the predominant feed stock, nearly 4.5 billion bushels of corn could be used annually in ethanol production beginning in 2007-08 or early 2008-09 marketing years.

Effect of increased Ethanol Production on corn prices

Increasing use of corn in ethanol production holds the promise of increasing corn prices. However, as corn use in ethanol production increases, corn prices will be more influenced by oil prices.

Once Federal mandates for use of biofuels are reached, ethanol's primary use will be as a substitute for gasoline. Ethanol prices will have to be competitive with the gasoline for consumers to buy ethanol-blended fuels.

Break Even Point for Ethanol Producers

Since corn is the major production cost for ethanol, the price an ethanol producer will be willing to pay is the break-even corn price, will be directly related to the ethanol price. As the ethanol price increases, the break-even corn price increases. In addition, ethanol prices are directly related to crude oil prices. In other words as the price of crude oil increase, the price of gasoline rises. This will lead to higher ethanol prices and a higher break-even corn price. Unfortunately, decreases in crude oil will lead to a lower break-even corn price.

Calculating Break-Even Corn Prices

For a range of crude oil prices, two corn break-even prices are calculated.

1. The first break-even price is the price that would allow the ethanol producer to just recover variable costs of production.

2. The second break-even corn price is the price that would allow the ethanol producer to recover all economic costs of production.

As long as corn can be purchased below this price, there would be incentive to expand ethanol production capacities.

Current Break-Even Prices

Currently, the price of crude oil is near $65 per barrel. This $65 per barrel price translates into a $5.62 break-even corn price after variable costs and a $5.07 break-even price after all costs. Currently, corn prices are around $3.50-3.60 per bushel, indicating that ethanol production currently is profitable.

Adapted from article issued by the Agricultural and Consumer Economics Department. Read the full Article on FarmDoc.

Field Days for Crop, Beef Producers

The University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center is hosting two important field days later this summer.

On August 2, the Agronomy Field Day will be held. Crop producers will want to attend to hear the latest on the wheat crop, pest management issues, and other timely topics. The field day starts at 8 a.m.

On August 21, the ag center will host its annual Beef Day.

U of I experts Dan Faulkner, Doug Parret, Dan Shike, and Frank Ireland will present the latest developments in the industry and offer practical advice for making your beef operation more profitable. The program will include dinner. For more details, contact the Extension Office or log on to the Southern Illinois Agriculture website:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag

· Dr. Loretta Ortiz-Ribbing, Crop System Specialist- Poisonous Plants and other Pests that Impact Horse Health

·Dr. James Brendemuehl, DVM-Parasite Management and Vaccine Technology

·Dr. Kevin Kline, Horse Extension Specialist demonstrating horse behavior

Date: July 26 at 6pm-9 pm

Place: Riverbank Lodge, Petersburg

Cost: $15.00

Register: (217) 782-4617

Making Sense of Illinois Agricultural and Horticultural Regulations. (www.ezregs.uiuc.edu)

EZRegs is a website designed to help identify state and federal environmental regulations that pertain to specific agricultural and horticultural operations and practices in Illinois.

EZRegs provides detailed information about how regulations apply to livestock, food crop, ornamental horticulture, and landscape maintenance operations. It contains a variety of regulations related to environmental protection; safe and legal use of pesticides; livestock facility construction, management and siting.

EZRegs is an expert database that links frequently asked questions to specific state and federal regulations. The EZReg project is sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producer's. Association, U.S. EPA Region 5, and University of Illinois Extension. For more information log onto the web site at: http://ezregs.uiuc.edu.

The Organic Trade Association has launched HowToGoOrganic.com. This web site is for producers and processors transitioning to organic. The web site is designed as a clearinghouse of North American resources for farmers and businesses interested in becoming organic or in creating new organic enterprises. The web site's regional directories showcase transition resources unique to specific regions and states. Resource listings in the North American directory can be searched by topic and subtopic, by type of resource, or by state. The site also features profiles of farmers and businesses that have successfully become certified organic or that are working through the process.

Diversified Grain and Cooperative Marketing Comes to Southern Illinois.

Transitioning to organic farming may seem too complicated, have too many regulations and be a whole lot more work than conventional farming. Those that have chosen to go organic believe it has been worth the effort. A successful organic and natural farmer in Oblong Illinois is willing to share what they have learned.

Date: Sept. 6,2007

Location: Duane & Margaret Baker Farm in Oblong Illinois.

Cost: $20 per person and $10 for each additional family member. Kids under 10 are free.

Online registration is available.

For additional information contact Dan Anderson– 217-333-1588 or aslant@uiuc.edu

Program Sept. 20,2007.

Time: 5:00-7:00 pm

Cost: $10.00 (light supper provided)

Program offered at the following Extension Centers.

Sites:

Mt. Vernon Center

Edwardsville Center

Springfield Center

Champaign Center

To register, please contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644, or online at our website. For more information contact us at 665-3328.

Dates: August 21 – 23

Site: Colfax, IL (McLean County)

Admission: FREE

Conservation Expo 2007 is coming to central Illinois. This statewide event is a showcase for the construction and exhibition of conservation and land

equipment. The hosts for this year's Conservation Expo are Richard and Robert Lasser, Colfax, IL. Conservation practices and structures showcased include:

• Pond Construction
• Wetland Restoration,
• Field Borders/Wildlife Food Plots
• Filter Strips,
• Grassed Waterways
• Stream Monitoring/Water Quality
• Soils Demonstration
• New Septic System Installations.

Tour guides at each site will discuss installation techniques, cost of construction, and benefits to the landowner & watershed.

Hours of the Expo

• Tuesday & Thursday: 9 – 4
• Wednesday - 9 – 7.

Landowners, farmers, agri-businesses, conservationists, planners and the public will find something of interest at the Expo. The Conservation Expo is sponsored by the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association (ILICA), in cooperation with e NRCS, McLean Co.SWCD, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy and University of Illinois Extension. For more information and directions contact us at 665-3328

Sustainable Agriculture Tour– Living Earth Farm

Date: July 30,2007

Sustainable Agriculture Tour-Three Rivers Community Farm (Elsah, Illinois–Jersey County)

Date: August 17, 2007

Sustainable Agriculture Tour– Dixon Springs Agricultural Center

Date: September 14, 2007

Each vegetable has a critical time in its growth when lack of adequate moisture can be a severe problem, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator.

"Hot, dry weather leads to high moisture deficiency in vegetable gardens," said Maurice Ogutu. "Vegetables require adequate moisture supply throughout the growing season in order to sustain optimal growth for production of good, quality fruits, greens, tubers, or bulbs.

"Some vegetables can tolerate mild water stress without serious negative impact on yield during certain periods of their growth cycle. However, all vegetables have critical water need periods, and inadequate soil moisture during this period results in serious yield loss. Make sure vegetables get adequate moisture during this period."

Ogutu noted that the critical water need period varies among different kinds of vegetables. He outlined some of the commonly grown vegetables and the stages when water is critical:

"With the critical growth stages in mind, these tips can help you achieve higher water use efficiency in your vegetable garden," said Ogutu.

--Beans (including lima and snap), pollination, pod development, and pod enlargement;

--Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, head development;

--Tomato, eggplant, pepper, from flowering to harvest;

--Dry onions, bulb enlargement;

--Cucumbers, muskmelons, watermelons, flowering, fruit development;

--Carrots, radish, turnips, root enlargement;

--Potato, tuber set and when the tuber is enlarging;

--Sweet corn, during silking, tasseling, and ear development.

He added that it is important to water your vegetable garden once a week, when less than one inch of rainfall is received that week. Soak the soil thoroughly with six to eight inches of water to ensure that it is available in the root zone for uptake by the vegetables.

"Water in the morning so that the leaves dry during the day," he said. "Early watering helps avoid foliar diseases. Do no water vegetables at mid-day because much of the water will be lost through evaporation. Avoid frequent, light watering and turning the sprinklers on for a whole day."

If you are putting in a late-summer or fall garden, Ogutu recommended the following watering guidelines:

--Uniformly apply one-half to one-inch of water to the garden area. Let the topsoil dry and then work the soil shallowly with a rake;

--Seed the vegetables. If it doesn't rain within two days, apply one-half inch of water followed by similar applications every other day until seeds germinate;

--Consider some kind of shade to protect the seedlings from sun scorch.

Source: Gardening Corner, University of Illinois Websit

Leaf Scorch, is a non-infectious disease that is prevalent during the hot days of July and August.

What does it look like?

Leaf Scorch is first noticed as a yellowing or bronzing of tissue between the veins or along the margins of leaves.

What Causes Leaf Scorch?

Trees can be susceptible if they have low vigor, damage from machinery or are surrounded by cement sidewalks or driveways.

When does it occur?
Symptoms usually follow drying winds or bright sunlight. Later, these leaves appear dry and scorched, and may even drop off.

Will the tree die?

No, the tree itself won't die.

Presentation:

Only one side of the tree may be affected and leaves on the same branch seem to be affected uniformly.

Causes of Leaf Scorch:
Leaf Scorch is caused by failure of the tree to supply enough water to the leaves at a critical time, usually in July and August. Water evaporates from the leaf surface during hot, dry weather, causing the leaves to dry out and scorch.
Trees with defective root systems and roots that have been removed or covered by concrete or asphalt are susceptible to leaf scorch. Leaf sucking insects, and soil that drains excessively contribute to the scorch problem.

Prevention:
Injury can be kept to a minimum by improving your tree's condition. If the tree has a permanently suppressed or injured root system, prune some of the branches to maintain an even balance between top and roots. This practice will not injure the tree and may actually improve its appearance. Apply fertilizer in the spring.

Adapted from "What is Leaf Scorch" by Dave Robson, Horticulture Educator

Leaf Scorch, is a non-infectious disease that is prevalent during the hot days of July and August.

What does it look like?

Leaf Scorch is first noticed as a yellowing or bronzing of tissue between the veins or along the margins of leaves.

What Causes Leaf Scorch?

Trees can be susceptible if they have low vigor, damage from machinery or are surrounded by cement sidewalks or driveways.

When does it occur?

Symptoms usually follow drying winds or bright sunlight. Later, these leaves appear dry and scorched, and may even drop off.

Will the tree die?

No, the tree itself won't die.

Presentation:

Only one side of the tree may be affected and leaves on the same branch seem to be affected uniformly.

Causes of Leaf Scorch:
Leaf Scorch is caused by failure of the tree to supply enough water to the leaves at a critical time, usually in July and August. Water evaporates from the leaf surface during hot, dry weather, causing the leaves to dry out and scorch.
Trees with defective root systems and roots that have been removed or covered by concrete or asphalt are susceptible to leaf scorch. Leaf sucking insects, and soil that drains excessively contribute to the scorch problem.

Prevention:
Injury can be kept to a minimum by improving your tree's condition. If the tree has a permanently suppressed or injured root system, prune some of the branches to maintain an even balance between top and roots. This practice will not injure the tree and may actually improve its appearance. Apply fertilizer in the spring.

Adapted from "What is Leaf Scorch" by Dave Robson, Horticulture Educator

Annie's Project is coming to Clay County. This program was developed for farm women by Ruth Hambleton, Extension Educator, Farm Business Management and Marketing

Who was Annie?

Annie was a woman who grew up in a small town in Northern Illinois. Her goal was to marry a farmer and she did. Together they did great things but it wasn't easy. Annie spent her life learning how to be an involved business partner with her farm husband. This is Annie's project - to take her life's experience and share it with farm women living and working in a complex business.

Program Features

·6 session program beginning on July 26th. Sessions are scheduled July 26, August 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2007.

·Times: 6 p.m at the Clay County Farm Bureau Office.

·You will learn about business plans, how property is titled, cash and crop share leases, retirement and estate planning, risk management and more.

Don't miss this great opportunity sponsored by Clay County Farm Bureau and presented by University of Illinois

Can't find your keys? Misplaced your power bill? Know you put those tax documents away, but just can't put your hands on them

Getting organized and finding a place for all your clutter sounds like a great idea. How do you find time to actually do it? Where do you begin? Having a basic plan to help with de-cluttering will help you gain control over your life.

1.Start by identifying your goals and motives for de-cluttering. Finish these statements: "My overall goal is....." "The reason I want to de-clutter is..."

2.Set up an action plan. Take a tour of your home and identify areas that nee a change. Be sure to list every place in the house that needs de-cluttering.

3.You don't need to block out hours of time. Working on a small area of a room just a few minutes each day is much easier and will help you reach your goal.

4.Other strategies you can try:

-Streamline necessary activities. You may use direct deposit for paychecks or automate bill paying.

-Eliminate unnecessary activities. Resign from activities you no longer enjoy, learn to say NO to activities you may later regret, and stop watching TV shows you don't actually choose to watch.

-Reduce the stuff! Sort items into boxes labeled keep, donate or throw away. Find a place for the keep items. Have a yard sale or donate the rest.

Dispose of useless items you got free or as gifts.

-Organize what you keep. Set up files for financial records and shred what you don't need

-Plan realistically. Allow extra time for appointments, mail delays, and road construction. Don't add stress to your life by planning more than you can do.

For more tips on de-cluttering, check out our Dealing with Clutter on the Clay Co. Extension website.

The West Nile virus arrived in Illinois at the end of the summer in 2001. Since their presence into Illinois, dead birds have been important sentinels for early West Nile virus activity. As a researching tool, the Clay County Health Department will be accepting five dead birds to be submitted for West Nile virus testing. The dead birds are being accepted for testing now through October 15, 2007. Crows, blue jays, and all "Perching birds" will be accepted. Perching birds include the crow, blue jay, grackle, starling, robin, cardinal, catbird, mockingbird, and many species of sparrows, finches, flycatchers, swallows, warblers, and wrens. No waterfowl, larger birds such as vultures, or endangered birds including the bald eagle will be tested! Please try and identify the bird. For example, if you know the bird is a house sparrow, identify it as a "house sparrow." If you do not know what the species of sparrow the bird is, identify it as a "sparrow." NOTE: Birds dying from WNV are usually found singly, scattered over a wide area. In contrast, birds that die from other causes often die in groups or clusters in small areas.

How the West Nile virus works: mosquitoes become infected with West Nile virus when they feed on infected birds. These infected mosquitoes then can transmit West Nile virus to humans and to other birds and animals when a mosquito bite occurs.

Symptoms of the WNV: most people will experience no change or may experience mild illness, such as fever and headache, before fully recovering. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, WNV can cause a serious disease that affects the brain called West Nile encephalitis. It can cause permanent neurological damage and be fatal. Symptoms usually occur three to fifteen days following the bite of an infected mosquito. Most human cases occur in late summer and fall.

If you have any further questions please contact:

Ariane Cummins or Jessica Schnepper

Clay County Health Department

601 East 12^th Street

Flora, Illinois

618-662-4406